Kansas: Joe Nemechek preview

Nemechek, Kansas Speedway Part of Chase Trivia
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Sept. 27, 2006) -- Here's a three-part trivia
question. Who was the first non-Chase driver to win a race during the
10-event Nextel Cup championship schedule? What year and at...

Nemechek, Kansas Speedway Part of Chase Trivia

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Sept. 27, 2006) -- Here's a three-part trivia
question. Who was the first non-Chase driver to win a race during the
10-event Nextel Cup championship schedule? What year and at what track
was this feat accomplished?

If you answered -- Joe Nemechek - 2004 - Kansas Speedway -- you qualify
as a NASCAR expert. The three answers are correct.

There have been 22 Chase races since the championship format began in
2004 and only five drivers not participating in the Chase have claimed a
victory. Along with Nemechek the others were: Greg Biffle (Homestead,
2004), Dale Jarrett (Talladega, 2005), Jeff Gordon (Martinsville, 2005)
and Kyle Busch (Phoenix, 2005).

"I never realized I was the first," said Nemechek, driver of the 01 U.S.
Army Chevrolet. "I am not sure if it has any significance, but I guess
it's always nice to be an answer to a positive trivia question."

"Even though Chase drivers might be a little more conservative, it is
evident by the statistics that they're still the guys to beat," added
Nemechek. "There's a reason why they're in the Chase and favored to
win races. They have had their act together week in and week out."

When asked if he treats Chase drivers any differently on the track,
Nemechek said, "I think it's only natural to give a Chase driver a little
more respect. After all, you don't want to be the cause of costing a
fellow competitor a championship and millions of dollars."

With the Nextel Cup circuit heading to Kansas Speedway for this weekend's
Banquet 400, Nemechek lights up when questioned about that magical Kansas
weekend he had in 2004 in which he not only won the Cup race, but also
the Cup pole and the Busch Series event.

"Kansas will always hold a special fondness for me," offered Nemechek.
"They say those weekends like I had in Kansas are a once in a lifetime
happening. Well, I hope that's not true, but whatever happens from here
on in at Kansas, I will always cherish that weekend as one of the most
memorable of my career."

With eight races remaining in the 2006 season Nemechek said his Army team
could use a lift.

"We've been struggling and need to finish off the season with something
positive," said Nemechek. "I am banking on Kansas Speedway to give us
that boost."